Racine Parental Choice Program

Racine Parental Choice Program

 

31 Choice Schools

3,935 Participating Students

 

Enroll in the RPCP

 

RPCP Student Eligibility

  • The student must reside in the Racine Unified Public School District. Students who live in Racine County outside of the RUSD can apply to a school in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program.
  • A non-voucher student can enter the RPCP program in grades K4, K5, 1, 9, or when they meet a prior year attendance requirement such as attending a different Wisconsin public school, attending a homeschool, or being on the waiting list for one of the Wisconsin Choice Programs.
  • Family income must be equal to or less than 300% of the federal poverty level. 
  • There is no limit on the number of students that may participate in the Racine Parental Choice Program.

RPCP Voucher Amounts

For the 2023–2024 school year, the amount of the voucher is $9,893 for grades K-8 and $12,387 for grades 9-12. For the 2024–2025 school year, the amount of the voucher will be $10,237 for grades K-8 and $12,731 for grades 9-12. The voucher amount increases by an amount equal to the increase in state public school funding each year.

 


 

Racine Parental Choice Program FAQ

Some schools accept the supporting documentation via email. Contact the school directly regarding how to provide the supporting documentation or check their website.

Schools are permitted to charge additional fees for the following things:

  • Personal items such as towels, gym clothes or uniforms
  • Social and extracurricular activities not a part of the required curriculum
  • Musical instruments
  • Meals
  • Transportation
  • Before and after-school care
  • High school classes not required for graduation

In grades K-8, the voucher is accepted as full payment for the cost of tuition. In grades 9-12, the school may charge additional tuition if the family’s income is greater than 220 percent of the federal poverty level.

If you don’t want your child to participate in religious activity or religious instruction, simply notify the child’s teacher or the school principal in writing.

All students who meet residency, prior year attendance, and income requirements are eligible for the program. A school may not use grades or test scores as a condition of acceptance. A school may test students for placement purposes after they’ve been accepted.

You need complete the online application each year during the open enrollment period. Open enrollment periods vary by choice program.

The application is on the DPI website and you must have an email address to use the system. If your student doesn’t meet the application grade level or prior year attendance requirement, you won’t be able to complete the application.

You may apply to one or more schools at the same time.

Eligibility is based on family income, prior year attendance, residency, and age of students entering grades K4, K5, and 1. Eligibility is not based on race, ethnic background, religion, prior test scores, grades, recommendations or membership in a church or parish. Choice schools must accept all eligible applications.

In the RPCP, the school must have a random drawing to select choice students if there are more eligible applications submitted than seats available. In the WPCP, the DPI conducts the random drawing.

It depends on the school and on the school district. Some schools provide transportation. Some districts provide transportation or reimburse the parent a certain amount for their transportation costs. Check directly with the school you plan to attend or with your district of residence.

The school will notify you within 60 days whether your child has received a voucher or has been placed on a waiting list. If more applications are received than slots available, the school will also let you know the date of the lottery to select choice students. If your student is placed on the waiting list, the school will let you know what your place in line is. If the school rejects your application, the notice of non-acceptance will give you the reason why.

If your student is offered a choice seat, you must notify the school within five days whether or not they will attend. You must also provide proof of residency and income before the end of the enrollment period.

The “once in, always in” provision means your child keeps his or her voucher even if family income rises, as long as your student continues to attend a choice school and does not voluntarily leave the program. Your family might have some children who qualify and others that don’t depending on the year each one applies to enter one of the Wisconsin school choice programs.

 


 

Racine Parental Choice Program Growth

 

School growth chart

 

Student growth chart

 

RPCP Timeline

2011
RPCP IS LAUNCHED

The Racine Parental Choice Program begins with 228 students and 8 schools, and with a cap of 250 students.

2012
509 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE

The number of students enrolled doubles over the previous year, with an enrollment cap of 5oo.

2013
140% GROWTH

With no enrollment cap is 2013, the RPCP grows to 1,240 in 13 schools.

2017
30 SCHOOLS IN RACINE COUNTY

Parents can choose between 23 schools in the RUSD and 7 schools in Racine County that are part of the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program.

2018
ACT PERFORMANCE

In 2018, Racine Parental Choice students outperformed their peers on the ACT for the third year in a row.

2019
15-FOLD INCREASE

Enrollment in the RPCP reaches 3,324 students.

2022
3,935 PARTICIPATING STUDENTS

2023
VOUCHER INCREASES

State legislators from both sides of the political aisle came together with the Governor to make historic increases to per pupil payment amounts.